Authentication codes and bipartite graphs

In this paper, a characterization of authentication codes in terms of bipartite graphs is given. By using such a characterization, two necessary and sufficient conditions for a minimal authentication code with perfect secrecy are derived. The probabilities of a successful impersonation and of a successful substitution attack are discussed. As a result, some (optimal) minimal authentication codes with perfect secrecy are constructed from association schemes, from finite groups or from known authentication codes no matter whether the known ones are with or without secrecy.